Manama: Qatar-based Reach Out to Asia (ROTA) has launched two community schools in the Khost Province in eastern Afghanistan.

With funding support from ROTA, CARE International in Afghanistan began in October 2011 implementing a three-year project that draws on its extensive experience and lessons learned in community-based education.

The project is designed to establish and support Community Based Education (CBE) classes to assist Afghanistan in meeting the right to quality basic education for 3,154 children (54 percent girls) in respective grades (2,554 primary and 600 lower secondary).

Education services are being emphasized in particular for communities prone to conflict in three provinces of Afghanistan (Kapisa, Ghazni, and Khost), specifically in areas where government education facilities do not reach, Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported.

The Mata Cheena Community School, located in Matun District, currently provides educational opportunities for 244 female students (44 secondary and 200 primary), while the Hassan Mohammad Community School in neighbouring Mandozi district ensures educational opportunities for around 100 female students (33 secondary graders and 67 primary graders).

"Investment in education is the best defense against poverty and suffering in Afghanistan, Eisa Al Mannai, ROTA Director, said. "In partnership with CARE International, we are committed to providing a comprehensive community based learning environment that sets high standards for its students while strengthening families' abilities to be strong advocates for their children's education."

The inauguration ceremonies for the Mata Cheena and Hassan Mohammad community schools, held in late March, were attended by community members, Ministry of Education District Education Officials, local authorities, CARE representatives, parents, teachers, and students enrolled in the schools.

During the ceremonies, project stakeholders at all levels voiced the importance of community support in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the newly-built schools, the news agency said.